BEYOND
THE SEA
By
Jeanne D. Corcoran
nevadafilm.com
Right from the get-go, Kevin Spacey
faces down the “he’s too old to play Bobby Darin” flack. In this clever and
affectionate movie, he creates a parallel universe where Bobby Darin is
creating a biopic on Bobby Darin, and is told he’s too old to play himself.
His retort is, who could possibly be better for the role? So, too old or
not, Spacey as Darin lays out his labor of love for all to see.
As Bobby Darin’s son Dodd said, “Kevin
cares deeply about this project and is determined to make it something of
which we can all be proud.” Spacey succeeds, although it’s doubtful
Hollywood will reward his efforts. Without even seeing it, the wagging
dagger-sharp tongues drew blood well in advance of its release by repeating
the mantra “It’s a vanity project.” How shallow an assessment – and how
unfair – that is. From Barbra Streisand’s “Yentl” 20-plus years ago to John
Travolta’s “Battlefield Earth” in 2000, many a stellar acting powerhouse has
poured their heart into an effort that consumed them for years, and did so
because (right or wrong) they believed in the merit and the unique story to
be told.
In Spacey’s case, “Beyond the Sea” is
his well-crafted homage, wherein he has created a fantastic and fantastical
motion picture, blending reality with imagination to give the audience a
peek into Bobby Darin’s mind. Youngster William Ullrich plays Bobby as a
child, and he and the adult Bobby interact throughout, with each helping to
tell the Bobby Darin story. Although he’s proven his acting ability time
and again over the years, Spacey takes the audience by complete surprise
with his ability to sing and dance. Other surprises await, including the
use of spectacular color in specific scenes to communicate the vibrancy of
the life that was Bobby Darin.
How he chooses the name Bobby Darin
-- because he felt “Walden Robert Cassotto” just wasn’t marketable – is but
one example of his headlong rush through life. He truly was as smooth as
the movie’s tagline says: “In the era of cool, he was the soundtrack.”
Darin is a subject worth knowing more about. Up against a ticking timebomb
because of his damaged heart, Darin consumed every moment of every day with
a desire born of necessity. What must it be like to know from childhood
that you WILL die young and could die soon? Spacey helps us feel that
urgency. Talented and driven, shaped by a mother who believed music and
entertainment would be his escape from illness as well as his ticket to joy
and fame, Darin knew that every moment was a gift, every achievement was a
mountain he had climbed. Spacey conveys this all so well, sharing Darin’s
fearless hunger to cram a lifetime into a fraction of time. When Darin
somewhat surprisingly becomes socially conscious and politically awakened,
it works against him popular success, as people want the crooner not the
commentator. How he comes to grips with this is yet another challenge for
him to overcome.
Sandra Dee, as played by Kate Bosworth,
is fragile and dewy, a sheltered rosebud that Darin plucks from her mother’s
covetous grasp. Fine and funny, touching and – despite Darin’s
determination and single-mindedness – gentle. As Dee struggles with Bobby’s
whirlwind life, she turns to alcohol when she can’t turn to him for the time
and attention she needs. This is handled well, but the point is made.
Strong performances abound in this film, from John Goodman to Bob Hoskins,
the two men who were the male role models in his life: one his
best-friend-turned- manager, the other his brother-in-law. Darin’s sister
Nina, portrayed by Caroline Aaron, is poignant when pushed into the
background. There are Oscar-worthy roles here, but alas, they too will
likely be pushed into the background by the Academy, and one cannot help but
think all of that “vanity project” blather is why.
Bobby Darin fan or not, this is a film
worth seeing.
